Thread conditioning and manipulating device



April 29, 1924. 1,492,319

5. VJ. WARDWELL THREAD CONDITIONING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 19, 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet l AT TORNEY 5. WIWARDWELL THREAD CONDITIONING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE April 29 1924.

Filed Oct. 19 1917 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l NVENTO GW%%MM ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 2d, 1924.

WIFE

SIMON W. WARDWELL, 0F IPROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WARDWELL BRAIDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

THREAD CONDITIONING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE.

Application filed October 19, 1917. Serial No. 197,468.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON WV. \VARDWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread Conditioning and Manipulating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved thread-manipulator for treating and conditioning thread, cord, twine or similar materials as they are produced by braiding, twisting or like processes. The object of my improvement is to provide means for operating in connection with the apparatus for braiding or otherwise fabricating the thread to treat and condition the latter by immersion, manipulating and drying whereby the fibers of the material are amalgamated and bound together, the thread rendered more uniform in size throughout its length, its tensile strength increased, and its flexibility and smoothness enhanced.

' The manner and means for carrying out the improvement are fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like ref ierences designate like parts. In the drawm s:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a braidingmachine showing my improved thread-manipulator app-lied to use in connection therewith- Fig. 2, a detail view of the thread-drying rolls;

Fig. 3, an enlarged, detail view of the thread-immersing and manipulating-means shown in combination with the emulsiontank;

Fig. 4, an enlarged, plan view of the manipulating-rolls and thread-stripping device;

Fig. 5, a detail view of the latter; and

Fig. 6, a side elevation of the arm L showing the thread-manipulating rolls arranged in slightly different relation.

Referring first to Fig. 1, my improved thread-manipulator is here shown as applied to abraiding-machine of usual type, but it is to be understood that the device is also adapted for use with spinning, twisting or other like apparatus for producing cords, threads or similar attenuated, textile materials.

In the drawing, A designates the machine-frame or stand on which is mounted the braiding-mechanism B. As here illustrated this latter comprises two sets of carriers C, C" arranged to revolve suitable yarn-supplies or bobbins b, b about a vertical axis, and provided with means for interlacing the strands therefrom to fabricate the braided cord or thread t. Beneath the stand A is a reel R, rotatably mounted on a cross-shaft 1', on which is wound a cord or strand 0 which serves as a core for the braided thread if. The cord 0 leads up through the center of the braiding-mechanism and after the strands b, b have been braided around it the fabricated thread t leads through a gathering-die or guide-plate G, and thence to the manipulator-device to be later described. In some cases the filling cord 0 is dispensed with and the strands b, b are braided together without an inner core.

'Surmounting the top of the braidingmechanism B is a framework F comprising two uprights or arms 7", f supported on the frame A and connected by two cross-rods f, f. The framework F'serves as a support for certain elements of the manipulator-de-- vice, comprising theemulsion-tank E and its associated thread-rolls illustrated in Fig. 3. Secured to the upper cross-rod f of the framework F is a. triangular 'armsior bracket H having a forked, rearward end straddling the lower rod f. Fastened to the forward end of the arm H is an extension H, provided with bearings for a vertically-slidable rod J. The rod J is formed with an offset arm j at its lower end bent in the shape of a loop or eye to adapt it to receive a bolt g.

The guide-plate or. forming-die G, before referred to, is supported on the arm j of the rod J and secured thereto by the bolt g and nut g. At the top of the rod J are two nuts 7'', 7'' between which is held the looped end of a wire latch-membenK. Thelatch K is bent in elbow-shape to provide a vertical arm is which is sprung'into slots in two lugs 71/, h on the front of the member H. At its lower end the latch K is formed with a loop is having a square shoulder or offset is adapted to engage the under side of the lower lug h. The purpose of this arrangement is to hold the rod J normally in the position shown in Fig. 3 while adapting it to slide upwardly in its bearings when the latch K is released. When it becomes necessary to replace a broken strand or otherwise repair the thread or cord at the braiding point, it is more convenient to move the guide-plate or thread-die G out of place. This is accomplished by drawing the latch K out from the groove in the lower lug It and sliding the rod J upwardly in its bearings, the plate G moving with it.

Projecting from the side of the member H is a pin or stud i on which is journaled a guide-pulley I formed with two peripheral rooves, through one of which the thread if is led as it draws from the guide-plate G. l'linged to the opposite side of the member H is a bar or arm L which carries a series of rotatable rolls or pulleys O, O, etc.,'over which the thread leads to direct its course down into the emulsion'tank E and to manipulate it in its passage back therefrom. The arm L is formed with a forked, upper end Z which straddles the sides of the member H, and a screw Z extending therethrough serves as a pivot, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. As illustrated in this view the lower portion of the arm L is twisted laterally through an angle of substantially ninety degrees, and the rolls 0, etc., are journaled on studs or pins 0 screwed or driven into its side. In this way the axes of the rolls are tilted in angular relation to each other from the horizontal to the perpendicular. That is to say, the axis of the first roll 0 is in horizontal position, the

- axis of the next roll 0 is tilted slightly above the horizontal, and so on in graduated relation down to the last roll O", the axis of which takes a vertical position. It is also to be noted from Fig. 3 that the several rolls 0, O, 0 etc., are staggered in relation along the arm L, the rolls 0, 0 O", etc.,aligning in one row, and the rolls 0, 0 etc., aligning in another row substantially parallel thereto. At the extremity of the arm L is a somewhat larger roll 0 arranged slightly offset from the last roll 0 but with its axis in the same vertical plane. On the under side of the arm L is a foot or boss Z adapted to rest against the bottom of the tank E.

At the upper end of the arm L is a stripper-device P which acts on the thread to remove the surplus fluid from its surface as it emerges from the emulsion-tank E. As.

illustrated in Fig. 5 the stripper P comprises two substantially flat plates 7), 79 mounted on a pin 7) screwed into the arm L, and pressed together by a coiled spring 79 surrounding the pin 72' beneath its head 72 The plates 7?. 79 fit between the sides of a slot Z in the side of the arm L to prevent them from turning on the pin 7). The sides of the plates 70, p are scored with laterallyextending grooves 79 12 adapted to register with one another to form substantially circular openings for the thread t to draw through. Preferably the grooves 72 p are formed on both the upper and lower sides of the plates 1), p and at both ends thereof, so that the plates may be reversed, top for bottom, or end for end, to provide new hearing surfaces after the grooves become worn. Referring to Fig; 3, two holes p are drilled through the plates 17, p midway across the grooves 7), 72 to serve as a vent to drain off the liquid cleared from the thread as it passes through the stripper.

Referring still to Fig. 3, the emulsiontank E consists of a trough-like pan supported on a bracket or shelf S bolted to one of the side-members f of the framework F. On the bottom of the tank E are suitable sheet-metal clips 6 adapted to hook under the slats s of the shelf b to hold it in place thereon while providing for its convenient removal therefrom. The manipulator-arm L is arranged to set in inclined position when lowered into the tank E with its foot Z resting on the bottom of the tank E as before explained. The side of the tank E beneath the arm L is preferably sloped to drain back the liquid which drips from the stripper P. Usually the top of the tank E is protected by a cover E formed with an opening 0 through which the arm L extends, and preferably the opening is provided with an inclined apron or spatterguard 6 Referring now to Fig. 1, a take-up wheel U is mounted on a shaft u held in bearings at the top of the framework F and driven by gearing connected with the operating mechanism of the machine by belts or chains as usually arranged, but not herein shown or described. Projecting upwardly from one side of the machine-stand A is'an arm A braced from the framework F by a strut (1. Supported on the arm A is a bracket or vertical arm V. see Fig. 2. formed at its top and bottom with bearings for cross-pins 'u, a). Jonrnaled on the pins 1., r are two thread-rolls or mnltiple-grooved pulleys V, W for receiving the thread which crosses back and forth thereover as it leads from the take-up wheel U. At the side of the stand A is a reel R jonrnaled on a shaft 1" and provided with friction-driving means, not herein shown, for rotating it to wind on the thread t as it leads down from the drying-rolls W, W. Usually means are provided for guiding the thread back and forth on the barrel ofth'e reel R to lay it smoothly in place thereon, but as this mechanism is not essential to the present invention it is not herein shown or described.

Having now described the construction and arrangement of my complete apparatus, the manner of threading up the manipulator and the method of its operation will next be explained: Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the strands b from the supply-bobbins b are merged or combined in the cord or thread t beneath the gathering-die or guide G, and the thread then passes up therethrough to the guide-pulley I. From the pulley I the thread t leads directly to the end-pulley O of the arm L, see Fig. 4, and

\ thence around the pulley or roll From the roll 0 the thread draws up over the roll 0", thence down under the roll 0 and so on in alternate succession around all of the rolls of the series to the upper one 0. The thread passes under the roll 0, thence between the stripper-plates p, p and up under the guide-pulley I. The last length 6' of the thread is then led up from the pulley I, over and around the take-up wheel U, see Fig. 1. Usually the thread is given several turns around the wheel U to provide a gripping friction whereby the rotation of the wheel will feed the thread through and from the braiding-mechanism in the usual manner. From the take-up wheel U the thread t leads up around the upper drying-roll W, and is then passed back and forth to the lower drying-roll W with the intervening lengths crossing each other centrally between the rolls as shown at m, Fig. 1. The last turn of the thread on the upper roll W is then drawn down to the reel R to be wound thereon while traversed back and forth across its barrel as before explained.

In treating thread intended for use in sewing shoes or for other like purposes it is usually subjected toa sizing-bath consisting of a starchy fluid or emulsion contained in the tank I). In the case of threads or cords employed in the manufacture of tire-fabric or similar materials they are usually treated with liquid rubber or like mucilaginous compound to adapt the fabric for vulcanizmg into the carcass of the tire. Either of the above mentioned emulsions, or any other compound, may be employed for treating and conditioning the thread with my iniproved manipulator and the method of op eration employed is as follows:

In applying the. cord or thread If to the manipulator-rolls O, 0', etc., the arm L is lifted out from the tank E by swinging it upwardly on its hinge or pivot Z After the thread is passed over the end-wheel O it is drawn alternately under and over the pulleys O, 0 etc, of the series whereby it is given a plurality of bends to render its course sinuous as it leads to the stripper it After the thread has been passed around the rolls in this manner the arm L is lowered into the tank, which in the meantime has been partly filled with the prescribed fiuid mixture X. The cover E is then set in place and the machine is ready for operation. As the take-up wheel U is rotated from the machine it draws the thread t up from the braiding-mechanism B, through the guide G, while passing it down into the'emulsion-tank E and back over the rolls 0, etc. As the thread passes around the lower roll 0 and through the bath it becomes saturated and impregnated with the emulsion X, a considerable portion of which will adhere to its surface. In leading back under and over the rolls 0*", 0 etc., the thread is caused to pass in a sinuous course which acts to bend it on itself to open up the fibers and knead the fluid into the interstices therebetween. During this rocess the thread is also twisted or rolled on its axis, due to the offsetting of the rolls 0, etc., which are arranged with their axes inclined one to another as previously explained. From the last roll 0 the thread leads through the grooves in the stripperplates 3?, p and the excess of fluid is thereby scraped off or stripped from its surface, although its strands and fibers still remain saturated. From the stripper P the thread draws under the guide-roll I which is formed with two guiding-grooves as shown in Fig. 4, and thence up and around the take-up wheel U which serves as a feedingmeans to draw the thread out of the machine. From the take-up wheel U the thread is next passed back and forth over the rolls W, W in a series of crossing lengths where it is dried by contact with the air. Indrawing around the manipulatorrolls 0, 0, etc., the fibers of the yarn or strands from which the thread is fabricated will be manipulated back and forth and worked one against another to knead the fluid through and into the pores and interstices. In this way the emulsion is caused to insinuate through the whole structure of the thread to thoroughly permeate and condition its innermost fibers and to cause them to be straightened out and laid in parallelism. At the same time as the thread passes around the manipulator-rolls it is twisted or rolled on its axis to further open the fibers and during its passage the grooves in the rolls have a tendency to shape it by ironing out the irregularities and draw it down to a uniform size throughout its length. As the thread finally draws over the dryingrolls, its fibers are further straightened and ironed into place while being set by the drying and hardening of the emulsion. In this way the thread is conditioned in texture and improved in appearance while its strength and pliability are greatly increased; the

finished thread thus becoming more uniform in size and better adapted for sewing or other uses in the various arts for which it is intended.

Fig. {3 illustrates the arm L made straight, without twisting it along its length, and the rolls 0, 0, etc., are pivoted to its side with their axes in alignment. With this construction the thread If leads along the arm in a sinuous course, but the rolls will not act to roll it on itself. This form of device is therefore not as efiicient as the preferred embodiment of the invention first described, but for some purposes it has been found to provide all the manipulation required. Various other modifications might be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the apparatus without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; therefore, without limiting myself to the exact embodiment shown and described, what I claim is 1. In a thread-00nditioning and manipulating device for textile-apparatus, the combination with means for fabricating a thread or cord, of means for feeding the thread therefrom. a tank for the conditioning-fluid, a series of rolls arranged within the tank to direct the thread therethrough, and means to support the rolls in the tank with their axes in staggered relation whereby the thread passing over them is bent back and forth in a sinuous course while being maintained completely immersed in the fluid as it travels through the tank so that its fibres are opened and manipulated to provide for a thorough permeation of the fluid into the interstices.

2. In a thread-conditioning and manipu lating-device for textile-apparatus, the combination with mechanism for braiding a thread or cord, of means for feeding the thread therefrom, a tank for the bath of conditioning-fluid, a series of submerged pulleys in the tank over which the thread draws to direct its course through the bath, and means to support said pulleys with their peripheries closely adjacent and so arranged that the thread may be led alternately over and under the pulleys in succession repeatedly while submerged in said bath to direct it back and forth in a plurality of sharp bends so that its fibres are separated and opened up to cause the penetration of the fluid into the structure of the thread.

3. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating device, the combination with means for feeding a continuous cord or thread, of a tank for the conditioning-fluid, an arm carrying a series of closely spaced rolls over which the thread is led to bend it back and forth in a sinuous course, and means to support the arm above the tank to provide for threading the thread around the rolls -while allowing it to be placed within the tank to provide for the immersion of the thread as it draws over the rolls.

4. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating device, the combination with means i for feeding a continuous cord or thread, of

a tank for the conditioning-fluid, an arm hinged and releasably supported above the tank to adapt it to be lowered thereinto, and a series of relatively small grooved rolls gered rolls having their axes progressively inclined in offset relation to each other to cause the thread to follow a sinuous course as it passes through the bath and to roll the thread on its axis to manipulate the fibers to open the pores whereby to facilitate the permeation of the conditioning-fluid th ereinto.

6. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile-materials, the combination with means for feeding a continuous thread or cord, of a tank for the conditioning-fiuid, a guide-roll for leading the thread into the tank, a series of spaced manipulator-rolls arranged with their axes staggered and incline progressively in relation to each other whereby the thread is caused to follow a sinuous course and to be rolled on its axis as it passes through the bath, and a stripper-device arranged between the rolls and the feeding-means to remove the excess fluid from the surface of the thread as it emerges from the bath.

7. Ina thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile-materials, the combination with a tank for the conditioning fluid, of means to feed the thread thereto, an arm hinged above the tank to adapt its end to be lowered into the fluid, a guide-roll on the end of the arm for directing the thread down into the bath. and a series of manipulator-rolls having their axes set in staggered relation and inclined one to another from the perpendicular to the horizontal whereby the thread is bent back and forth in a sinuous course and caused to be rolled on its axis as it passes through the tank to manipulate the fibers and open up the pores while kneading the fluid into the interstices.

8. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile-materials, the combination with a rotating take-up wheel for feeding the thread, of a tank for the conditioning-bath, an arm hinged above'the tank to adapt it to be lowered into the bath, a series of grooved manipulator-rolls on the arm arranged with their axes in offset relation and progressively inclined one to another to bend the thread back and forth in a sinuous course and roll it on itself as it passes through the bath, a pair of grooved stripper-plates on the arm, resilient-means for pressing the plates against the thread as it passes between them to strip the excess fluid therefrom, and drying-rolls for passing the thread backand forth in reverse bends to expose it to the atmosphere to dry the fluid which it'absorbs from the bath.

9. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile-materials, the combination with a tank for the conditioningfluid, of power-operated means to feed the thread through the tank, a series of grooved thread-rolls arranged in staggered relation with their axes progressively inclined one to another to cause the thread to follow a sinuous course and to roll it on itself as it passes through the bath, and means to support said rolls within the tank while allow ing them to be raised thereabove to facilitate the threading of the material over the tank and for causing it to follow a sinuous course and to bend back and forth at sharp angles and in diflerent successive radial planes through the center line of said thread as it passes submerged through said fluid whereby its strands and fibres will separate forming openings by which the fluid will penetrate and coat all parts.

11. In a device of the class described, the

combination with mechanism for braiding a thread or cord, of a tank for a bath of conditioning-fluid, means for drawing said thread from said braiding mechanism and passing it through the fluid in said tank and or causing it to follow a sinuous course and to bend back and forth at sharp angles and in .difierent radial planes through the center line of said thread as it passes submerged through said fluid whereby its strands and fibres will separate forming openings by which the fluid will penetrate and coat all parts, means for stri ping excess fluid from the surface of said threadatter it leaves said fluid and means -torso moving said thread exposed to the air as to dry it.

12. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile apparatus, the combination with a tank for a bath of conditioning-fluid, means for drawing thread through said bath, means for gulding the thread. during its passage through the bath causin it to follow a sinuous course to open its pores whereby it will be permeated by said fluid, and means for so supporting said thread-guiding means above and in said bath that it may be removed as a unit from said bath and supported externally thereof for convenience in applying the thread thereto.

13. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile apparatus, the combination with a tank for conditioning-fluid, of means for drawing thread through said tank, and means for guiding and so manipulating said thread while being drawn through said tank submerged in its liquid contents as to repeatedly bend it on substantially uniform curves in alternately opposite directions in radial planes through the center line of the thread which are at small angles to each other in succession, thus relatively moving and slightly se arating its strands and fibers until the uid has permeated said thread and thoroughly coated its strands and fibers.

14. In a thread-conditioning and manipulating-device for textile apparatus, the combination with a tank for a bath of conditioning-fluid, of means for drawing thread through said bath, means for guiding the thread during its passage through the bath causing it a) follow a sinuous course to open its pores whereby it will be permeated by said fluid, and means for supporting said thread-guiding means both above and in said bath so that it may be removed as aunit from said bath and supported ex= ternally thereof ,for convenience in applying the thread thereto.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

SIMUN W, WARDWELL. 

